In the depths of winter, the green mountains had aged, their colors faded to bleakness.0

Beyond Yangdu City, dry grass blanketed the rolling hills. A narrow dirt path wound its way along the foot of the mountains, its origin unknown, its destination uncertain.0

In the distance, atop a mountain, the faint outline of a pagoda-like structure emerged through the mist. Wisps of smoke curled skyward, piercing the thick clouds—evidence of a well-frequented temple or Daoist monastery.0

The small path eventually merged into a larger road.0

“Flap, flap, flap...”0

A flock of wild birds soared across the sky.0

A little girl, dressed in three-colored garments, was descending from a desolate mountain. Behind her followed a jujube-red horse, its back burdened with two large bundles of firewood, one on each side.0

Suddenly, a noise echoed from above.0

Almost instinctively, she halted in her tracks and tilted her head upward, her gaze tracking the flight of the wild birds. Her expression remained unreadable—only an intense focus shone in her eyes.0

Thankfully, she didn’t start doing an evil laugh.0

She continued watching until the birds disappeared into the misty sky. Only then did she lower her gaze, glance at her horse, and then turn her head toward the far end of the path below.0

“Ding ding...”0

The faint chime of bells could be heard, distant yet distinct.0

It sounded quite similar to the bells hanging from her horse’s neck.0

But a cat's hearing was keen, and she could easily discern the subtle differences between the two.0

As the sound of bells grew closer, the first thing to emerge from the winding path was the head of a donkey. Its ears flicked as it walked,...0